Some twenty international experts in capacity development (CD) in education met at IIEP for two days’ debate on the reasons CD efforts at times fail to have a long-term impact. CD efforts should give voice to those who promote change, and addressed the need for critical mass in both host countries and aid agencies. Changes in the aid architecture and on the development agenda have occurred. Values and behaviour need to change from within, and CD strategies need to be compatible with social structures and belief systems.